Allen Toussaint lives on!

Before passing away suddenly in November 2015, falling victim to a heart attack while he was on tour in Spain, Allen Toussaint had completed a new studio album, the aptly-named American Tunes, which has just come out on Nonesuch. Recording took place during two sets of sessions with the producer Joe Henry; Toussaint, on piano, supported by a rhythm section comprising Jay Bellerose and David Piltch. The icing on the cake: a handful of guests including Bill Frisell, Charles Lloyd, Greg Leisz, Rhiannon Giddens and Van Dyke Parks. On the menu for the festivities, in these understated and elegant clothes: great classics by Toussaint of course, but also by Professor Longhair, Duke Ellington, Fats Waller and Bill Evans, as well as Paul Simon. This road map provides a posthumous album as elegant as Allen Toussaint was himself. A sophisticated celebration of all the music from his native New Orleans and, specifically, of everlasting jazz. A wonderful farewell.

To follow everything happening on Qobuz, join us on Facebook!